Shloka 17
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
अथोवाच मुनिं देवो वरुणो हि जलाधिपः । गौतमं मुनिशार्दूलं परोपकृतिशालिनम्
athovāca muniṃ devo varuṇo hi jalādhipaḥ | gautamaṃ muniśārdūlaṃ paropakṛtiśālinam
Bấy giờ, Varuṇa—đấng thần linh, Chúa tể của thủy giới—cất lời với hiền giả Gautama, bậc tối thượng trong hàng thánh hiền, như hổ giữa các munī, giàu đức hạnh vì lợi ích muôn loài.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; the direct speaker within the verse is Varuna)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The narrative praises Gautama’s paropakāra (beneficence), a hallmark of tīrtha-founders: sacred acts are validated by their capacity to benefit others, not merely personal gain.
Significance: Elevates ‘service to others’ as a Śaiva virtue: worship that becomes loka-hita aligns the devotee with Śiva’s compassionate lordship.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse sanctifies the ideal Shaiva virtue of paropakāra (selfless benefit to others): a purified heart becomes fit to receive divine instruction, which ultimately supports devotion to Pati (Shiva) and liberation.
Though the verse names Varuṇa, it frames a sacred dialogue that typically leads into tīrtha and Jyotirliṅga contexts in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā—where Saguna Shiva is approached through pilgrimage, worship, and reverence for sanctified waters used in abhiṣeka.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate paropakāra alongside worship: perform Shiva abhiṣeka with pure water, recite the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and dedicate the merit for the welfare of all beings.